Ted Heath Dies

Crocker

http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1646042005

Tributes pour in for former Prime Minister Ted Heath


TRIBUTES have poured in for the former Conservative prime minister Sir Edward Heath, who has died aged 89.

Both Labour politicians and Tories alike have been sharing fond memories of the former leader.





Denis Healey, former Labour chancellor, said: "He was also, in every sense, the first modern Conservative leader - by his humble background, his grammar school education and by the fact of his democratic election.

"As prime minister, he was confronted by the enormous problems of post-war Britain. If those problems eventually defeated him, he had shown in the 1970 manifesto how they, in turn, would eventually be defeated.

"For that, and much else besides, we are all in his debt."

Sir Edward, who was knighted in 1992, won his first seat for the Tories in Bexley in 1950.

He led the Tory government as prime minister between 1970 and 1974, and was responsible for bringing Britain into what was then the European Economic Community, before losing the leadership of the Tory party to Margaret Thatcher in 1975.

Sir Edward's former colleague Lord Walker said history would "give him a high rating", adding he was a "very great man and an enormous patriot".

Tony Benn said Sir Edward was "to the left of Tony Blair".

"He represented the sensible wing of the Tory Party," he said.

Lord Prior, who served as Leader of the House of Commons under Sir Edward, said: "He was one of the few people who never cared what other people said or thought.

"He said what he thought. He made himself very unpopular in the House of Commons, particularly with a lot of Conservatives, but came across as a man of great integrity and great courage.

Former Tory Chancellor Lord Howe said Ted Heath was a "man of great commitment and energy".

Invictus

I know hes dead and everything but the guy was a pretty useless PM and I mean he took us into Europe. Great idea that was. I don't get why the British media are making him out to be Cromwell all of a sudden.

Crocker

Its because he just died even Thatcher will be a hero when she dies

Tyler Durden

I'm as sad as I can possibly be for a guy that lived to 89, was very wealthy, did not suffer with illness for many years, reached the highest political standing he can in our country and also was a celebrated yachtsman.

Miakal

Yeah, but his wife was probably ugly.

Tyler Durden

He never married and, if rumours are to be believed, was unlikely to have ever had that kind of inclination!!

Miakal

So you are saying he liked sheep? Was he Welsh?

Tyler Durden

Only consenting sheep (allegedly)

Chewy

Well if the guy liked farm animals more then his girl friend it isent are place to judge

Tyler Durden

Lol....Of course the rumour is that he was a non-practicing homosexual. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that if that is "your bag"!! I can only apologise to everyone concerned, especially those who love sheep, if they have been in any way offended.